How does Chekhov use humour and irony in "The Bear"?

Much of the humor and irony in "The Bear" comes from how the characters appear to be so enslaved by their emotions despite their loud protestations to the contrary. Both Smirnov and Popova delude themselves into thinking that they can control their emotions, yet it's perfectly clear that they are chronically incapable of doing so. They both claim that they're effectively finished with love, yet ironically they end up falling for each other at the end. Smirnov claims to ignore women as much as he can, yet—also ironically—he's completely captivated by Popova's spirited reaction to his challenging her to a duel. He also finds himself irresistibly drawn to her dimpled cheeks. For her part, Popova claims that she died when her late husband passed away, but it's clear that she still wants to love and to be loved.

Of the two, Smirnov's emotions seem the most volatile and difficult to control, and by extension the most ridiculous. His filthy temper provides much of the play's humor. He's so quick to take offense that he actually challenges Popova to a duel, despite the fact that she's a woman. Smirnov cannot restrain his emotions for any significant length of time; all he can do is exchange one emotion for another. So his declaration of love for Popova comes directly out of his anger towards her for a perceived insult to his honor. This is both humorously farcical and ironic, in keeping with the general tone of the play.

The central element of humour that lies in this excellent play is the farcical nature that is pointed towards by Chekhov in the subtitle that he gives this play. Of course, the majority of the humour stems from the way in which Mrs. Popov has declared herself to be "dead" even before she has actually died as an act of grief and love towards her dead husband. To demonstrate the depth of her love for her husband, she declares that she will forsake life until she herself joins him in her death. Note how she presents this declaration in scene 1:

When Nicholas died, my life lost all meaning, as you know. You may think I'm alive, but I'm not really. I swore to wear this mourning and shun society till my dying day, do you hear? Let his departed spirit see how I love him!

Thus the stage is set for Mrs. Popov, in spite of her self-confessed intention to remain in mourning and to never love again, to actually fall in love, with the most unlikely character, the "bear" of Smirnov, who, through his brash anger and rudeness, ends the play by kissing Mrs. Popov, obviously foreshadowing their marriage. Thus the central element of the farce of this play lies in the gap between words and actions, intentions and reality.

What are some examples of irony in Anton Chekhov's The Bear?

Irony is a literary technique where a statement is used to communicate the opposite of its meaning usually for emphatic or humorous effect. The term also refers to situations where results or conclusions are intentionally made to deviate from the typical expectation for a humorous effect.

Smirnov mocks Popova’s “state of mind” which does not allow her to discharge her family’s financial matters. He ironically responds to Popova by stating that he is also in a “state of mind” because of the debt he is in, and he needs to be paid immediately.

SMIRNOV. Well, there! "A state of mind."... "Husband died seven months ago!" Must I pay the interest, or mustn't I? I ask you: Must I pay, or must I not?

Smirnov further mocks Popova by asking her if he should escape from his creditors in a balloon or knock his head against a brick wall.

Do you think I can fly away from my creditors in a balloon, or what? Or do you expect me to go and run my head into a brick wall?

Smirnov states that he dislikes talking to women, and he’d rather sit on a barrel of gunpowder.

That's why I never did like, and don't like now, to have to talk to women. I'd rather sit on a barrel of gunpowder than talk to a woman.

Smirnov also suggests that he looks well. However, his description is contrary to his actual state.

I must say I look well! Dust all over, boots dirty, unwashed, unkempt, straw on my waistcoat....

He further mocks Popova by speaking to her in French and telling her that he is happy that she has not paid the money owed.

How do you want me to talk to you? In French, or what? [Loses his temper and lisps] Madame, je vous prie.... How happy I am that you don't pay me.... Ah, pardon. I have disturbed you! Such lovely weather to-day! And how well you look in mourning! [Bows.]

Anton also builds the irony throughout the play because it is unexpected that after a highly heated exchange, Smirnov and Popova would fall in love instead of proceeding to the gun duel.

The kiss at the end of the play contradicts all the negative statements made by Smirnov and Popova. In addition, the ration of oats for Toby is completely withdrawn for the day because Popova has fallen in love with Smirnov.

POPOVA. [Lowering her eyes] Luka, tell them in the stables that Toby isn't to have any oats at all to-day.

How does Anton Checkov's play The Bear bring out humor?

The two primary sources of humor in Anton Checkov’s one-act play The Bear are situational irony and hyperbolic wordplay.

Situational irony is when an audience has the reasonable expectation that something will occur, but their expectations are upended. Audiences often find situational irony humorous because it is surprising. In Chekhov's comedy, the recently widowed Elena Popova is accosted in her home by Grigory Smirnov, a landowner and a creditor to her late husband. When Smirnov demands 1200 rubles from Popova, she responds angrily and orders him to leave. When Smirnov refuses, tension escalates to the point of a farcical duel. By the end of the play, Smirnov realizes that he has fallen in love with Popova and kisses her. Popova kisses him back. This is situationally ironic because these characters have been raging against one another for almost the entire length of the play but suddenly fall in love at the end.

Checkov is also a master of using hyperbolic language and wordplay to comedic effect. In The Bear, both Popova and Smirnov complain about one another in overblown terms humorous to the audience. For example, examine this collection of Smirnov’s lines.

“I’d rather sit on a barrel of gunpowder than talk to a woman.”

“Hang me on that nail feet upwards, if you like, but have you ever met a woman who can love anybody except a lapdog?”

“All women, great or little, are insincere, crooked, backbiters, envious, liars to the marrow of their bones, vain, trivial, merciless, unreasonable.”

Smirnov does not intend these lines to be literal but rather to express his frustration with Popova. Comedic lines such as these pepper the dialogue of The Bear and are a major source of humor.

I hope this helps!

What is an example of satire in Chekhov's play The Bear?

Satire is defined as constructive criticism delivered by mocking an element’s shortcomings in a humorous way to bring attention to the issue. The criticism is achieved through irony and sarcasm with the aim of instigating change or addressing a sensitive topic.

In the play by Chekhov, Smirnov is pressed to pay his debt, but none of his debtors wants to pay him back. His situation gets worse when Popova, one of his debtors, claims she is in no mood to discuss financial issues. Smirnov employs sarcasm to draw attention to his predicament and hopes that Popova will pay.

SMIRNOV: Thank you. [He shrugs his shoulders.] And they expect me to stand for all that. The toll-gatherer just now met me in the road and asked why I was always worrying. Why, in Heaven's name, shouldn't I worry? I need money; I feel the knife at my throat. Yesterday morning I left my house in the early dawn and called on all my debtors. If even one of them had paid his debt! I worked the skin off my fingers! The devil knows in what sort of Jew-inn I slept; in a room with a barrel of brandy! And now at last I come here, seventy versts from home, hope for a little money, and all you give me is moods! Why shouldn't I worry?

Smirnov is relentless in his quest, and Popova accuses him of not knowing how to treat a lady. Smirnov employs sharp irony and sarcasm to criticize Popova’s beliefs. His criticisms bring to attention the general gender issues that exist within the society.

SMIRNOV: [Imitating her.] Not at all funny--vulgar! I don't understand how to behave in the company of ladies. Madam, in the course of my life I have seen more women than you have sparrows… I am not speaking of present company, but of women in general; from the tiniest to the greatest, they are conceited, hypocritical, chattering, odious, deceitful from top to toe; vain, petty, cruel with a maddening logic and [he strikes his forehead] in this respect, please excuse my frankness, but one sparrow is worth ten of the aforementioned petticoat-philosophers.